The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Thailand, along with the 19 European Union (EU) Member States’ Embassies and Cultural Institutions in Thailand, officially opened the 32nd European Union Film Festival in Thailand at The Siam Society under Royal Patronage.
H.E. Mrs Luisa Ragher, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered opening remarks along with Ms Saratsanun Unnopporn, Secretary to the Minister of Culture in Thailand and Mrs Somlak Charoenpot, 2nd Vice President and Honorary Secretary of the Siam Society.
Over 120 distinguished guests attended the Opening Night, among them representatives from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the diplomatic corps, prominent figures in the arts and film and culture world, and leaders of the business world, academia and civil society in Thailand and Europe. The evening was a screening of the film ‘Breathing Underwater’ (2024), directed by Eric Lamhène, a Belgian-Luxembourgish film.
Under the theme ‘See Beyond, Feel Beyond’, each film asks viewers to observe the stories on screen, but also to look beyond and feel beyond, understanding the people, the relationships, social change, and emotions – “I hope they will lead to more meaningful conversations and heighten a greater appreciation of the connections between the EU and Thailand, and how cinema can build bridges of understanding and bring communities closer together,” said Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. Mrs. Luisa Ragher.
Cinema can help understand these different lives, values and aspirations and can enable cultural dialogue and enhance relations between countries, she continued, “It has a unique power to connect people across cultures and generations.”
This year’s festival will be held from 18-28 June 2026 presenting selected 21 films from 19 countries, curated by the EU Delegation to Thailand and the Embassies and Cultural Institutes of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden, at various screening venues, including:
- Bangkok: The Siam Society, House Samyan Cinema, and Lido Connect
- Chiang Mai: Alliance Française Chiang Mai
- Phuket: BCIS International School Phuket and Satree Phuket School
No booking necessary, all screenings are free and first-come, first-served. Tickets are available up to 1 hour prior to every showtime at each of the locations.
